ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- St. Augustine threw a big birthday party this weekend, celebrating the city's founder, Pedro Menendez and Spanish history.

The Noche de Gala was Saturday night. It started with a grand procession from the Casa Monica Hotel to the Lightner Museum.

The event celebrates what would have been the 495th birthday of Menendez as well as the relationship between St. Augustine and Aviles, Spain, the city of Menendez birth.

Aviles, Spain and St. Augustine are sister cities.

The Noche de Gala is one of the premier events in St. Augustine. Dignitaries from Spain were in attendance. Many people dressed in colonial formal attire. First coast News' Jessica Clark attended the event.

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrated the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

First Coast News' Jessica Clark at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night at the Lightner Museum. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

First Coast News' Jessica Clark at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Elaborate costumes at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

First Coast News' Jessica Clark was at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News/PRI Productions

Elaborate costumes at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

A painter entertained guests at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

St. Augustine Mayor Boles and Spanish dignitaries at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Elaborate costumes at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Pedro Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News

Pedro Menendez address the crowd at the Noche de Gala in St. Augustine Saturday night. It celebrates the 495th birthday of Menendez, the city's founder. It also celebrates the relationship between St. Augustine and its sister city, Aviles, Spain. First Coast News